Eastbound carriageway of A14 reopens after Bythorn crash but westbound expected to open at 6.30pm

THE eastbound carriageway of the A14 between Brampton Hut and Thrapston has reopened following today’s earlier accident at Bythorn - with the westbound carriageway is expected to reopen at around 6.30pm.

A spokesman for Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service said emergency services had now completed the “crucial stage” of getting the overturned tanker back on its wheels after the crash at 6.26am this morning (Thursday, January 10).

Firefighters arrived at the scene of the accident at Bythorn to discover the tanker on its side, with ethanol substance leaking out.

“Crews used absorbent granules and an environmental grab pack to cover the nearby drains to stop the leaking liquid from entering the drains,” said Callum Faint, station commander for Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service.

“The Environment Agency has been alerted to this incident and is at the scene working with crews.”

The road has remained closed while the leak has been dealt with due to flammable nature of the liquid.

After the incident a large amount of liquid still remained in the tanker, so an empty tanker was requested to attend to decant the liquid and take it to safety.

“Firefighters are on standby at the scene with foam jets, ready to take action is the liquid ignites,” Mr Faint said earlier.

Seven ambulances attended the incident, including three from the hazardous area response team.

A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service said: “All emergency crews worked very well in difficult circumstances as potentially harmful chemicals were leaking from the tanker.”

A Highways Agency spokesman said the westbound carriageway was expected to reopen at 6.30pm, 12 hours after the accident.

Until then drivers are advised to follow the diversion up the A1 at Peterborough and back down the A605 past Oundle before rejoining the A14.

The male driver of the tanker, who is in his 40s, was already out of the vehicle when firefighters arrived.

He was taken to Hinchingbrooke Hospital for further treatment of a non-serious head injury. His injuries are not thought to be life threatening.

Councillor James Palmer, leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council, has thrown his hat in the ring to become the new Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, with hopes to “improve infrastructure and provide high quality housing for all”.